A Blog About a Bloke-Living with WHS

It is finally coming up to the last week of school holidays, and I am looking forward to school going back. These holidays haven't been as bad as usual (I even braved places like the Fairy Park and Werribee Zoo on my own with just the kids), but I am craving routine, and I know my kids are as well. There is something very comforting about the routines of the school year. Does that make me sad? I keep reading and hearing about how much people have enjoyed their holidays with their kids and how they never want them to end, and I just kind of shrink back and smile pathetically (or is that sympathetically?) and move far far away (to my happy place). Ryley is ready to be with his mates again. He is over his parents and little brother. Especially since the little brother has assumed the position of Ryley's voice, and therefore, much to Ryley's amusement, talking for him, picking his clothes, and assigning toys. Bit like a PA really. Braeden will work out soon enough that Ry...

We are loving eating our garden at the moment. Squash, potatoes, chives, parsley and plums. I am more inspired than ever to grow, grow grow and spend less at the grocery store. We have also started doing a weekly menu planner and it makes a huge difference, not only to organisation, but also to our waists. It is exciting planning what new meals I am going to try each week. The kids are loving being in the garden at the moment. Even Ryley!

Happy Australia Day! For the overseas readers, this is basically a day where we don't go to work, cook a BBQ (and eat sausages or lamb), drink a fair amount of alcohol and wave our Aussie flags. We personally tend not to do much other than have a Barbie, or catch up with some friends. We have never been into going out amongst the drunken crowds to watch the fireworks. Not really my idea of fun. This year has been no different. Some friends dropped in and we had a quiet beer, but that's about it. I am glad we live in Australia, but I think most people forget that technically we 'stole' this land from the aborigines, so I'm not really sure what we are celebrating. But anyway. I can't wait until we are rich and we can buy the outback station I have been dreaming of (which is in the middle of Australia in case you are wondering). To me, the open plains is where the real Australia is. I don't like the City much, despite enjoying the shopping and the atmosphe...

Yeah. It has been a while between posts. I have just been...well...too busy! We are still on school holidays here and they are fast becoming the longest holidays in the world. We have done well up until now with only a few incidences of whinging (as seen in one of my earlier posts). But it is starting to get a bit tricky to find things to do now. But. We will press on. I am working 2 days this week and then the following week we have a heap of appointments so that should fill in some time (oh joy). Here are some more holiday photos (that way I don't have to bother writing-sorry for the slackness). Singing Happy Birthday again The red tyrannosaurus rex birthday cake. As requested by Braeden. Demolition time! Um...Dad...I like that it is a Ryley sized door and all...but um..what happens when I grow??

As most people around the world know by now, QLD are currently suffering through some of the worst floods in Australia's history. People have lost their lives and so many thousands of people of lost their homes. There are several of our WHS families who are living in the flood areas and have sustained damage to their homes. Thankfully, they are all safe. As a WHS community, we are very close and take great care to look out for each other. We are like an extended family. All of our thoughts are currently with the Rackley family in Murphy's Creek, the Carr family in Ipswich and the MacNamaras who are near Ipswich. Please keep them and everyone else in your prayers.

Today, my beautiful Braeden turned 3. Hard to believe it really. I am so proud of him. He is like a little sponge at the moment, soaking up everything. I will never ever get sick of how quickly he learns things! He has had a great day today, just hanging out at home playing with his presents, watching some TV, seeing his Nan and Grumpy and..er..helping David plaster. Every year, as part of this blog, I want to write a letter to each of my boys on their birthday. Here is this years. Dear Braeden, What a year! It has flown past so quickly! I was so excited to see your face this morning when you saw all your presents. I have never seen you so excited before!! You jumped up and down and squealed when you saw all those presents for you. You have made us so proud this year. We love how you find joy in the smallest things. You ask us about everything and want to learn learn learn. We love how you help your brother, but at times, we know he annoys you, like all brothers do. We don...

Ryley had his first day of holiday program today. And I admit, I had some tears AGAIN after dropping him off. ( What the hell is with ME??) It is really hard to drop him off and place him in other people's care. Really hard. I have been reflecting a bit on this today and trying to figure out if it is just me being stupid, but I don't think it is. Something I have noticed over the past few weeks of holidays is that I do an awful lot for Ryley without thinking twice. I have only noticed it because I have had to check with David a few times if he has done certain things and it hadn't occurred to him. For example.  Ryley gets extremely sweaty when it is hot. In fact, he gets extremely sweaty just when he is excited about something or exerts himself. Automatically every morning, I put a powder under his arms because he gets a sweat rash. The powder keeps him comfortable during the day. David has been dressing him each day, and I have found myself (irritatingly so I am sur...

Haven't done a Just 'Cos for a while so here is a few pics from our Summer fun so far! Trampoline fun with cousin Talia Ryley and Braeden ready to go to Ryley's school concert Creating art pieces for Nan and Grumpy Practising to be in Australia's Test Team Santa has been!! Enjoying the wading pool.

Well? Ours are starting to go a little downhill. It's not that we aren't loving being on holidays. Oh no. It's just that, well, boredom has started to kick in for Ryley, and that's when the trouble starts. I am a little wiser now, and he does have 3 days of holiday program coming up (why didn't I ask for more????) and that will help alleviate some of that boredom, but crikey, that child of mine sure likes to let us know how bored he is! You all know about his famous whinge-right? Well it's back. With a vengeance!!!! I don't blame him. We are spending our time trying to clean and organise the house and shed. But, in all fairness, I have taken him shopping most of the day today, and STILL, he is moaning! Hmmmm. Playschool? Over it. Trampoline? Over it. Swing? Yep, you guessed it, over it. OK, what about driving in the car, checking out what everyone else is doing? Over it . Tomorrow, I am heading out to a friends place then taking Ryley to Melb...

So, it's a new year. Nothing much has changed except for the fact that I am trying to clean out the house of old toys and clothes and I seem to be getting nowhere. Two trailerloads of rubbish have gone already, as well as a bootload of stuff for the salvos. As I look around all I can see is stuff scattered throughout the house and shed. I hate that you have to make mess to clean up (or is that just me??). Ryley is bored to the max too. I had to resort to taking him for a drive around town this arvo because he was pinching me so hard that either I had to take him out in the car or lock him in his room. I chose the former. For those that live in Australia that read my blog, what is with this weather??? Floods in QLD, Heatwaves in WA, and stupid strange weather in VIC. Although the weather is always strange in VIC, so not sure what my point is. The weather feels like Spring here. Gorgeous sunshine, but I want a few more degrees. I am over the cold (mind you, give me a week of ho...